Plumber&#39;s pipe testing device



Oct. 20, 1942. B. svlRsKY .2,299,434

PLUMBERS PIPE TESTING DEVICE v Filed May 5, 1941 4 il lill/A711114vill/1111171111110 l( 75 l, llllllllIllIllll/lllllIII/l gn-:

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. IN VENTOR.

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Patented Oct. 20, 1942 UNITED. STATES ?ATNT OFFICE PLUMBERS PIPE TESTING DEVICE Bennett Svrsky, Glendale, Calif.

Application May 5, 1941, Serial No'. 391,892 l 9 Claims. (Cl. 13S- 90) y within the body portion of the pipe and the other The present invention relates to a modified form of the devices described in my copending application iled February 11, 1941, Serial No. 378,381, andmy companion applications of even date, Ser. No. 391,891 and Ser. No. 391,893, iled May 5, 1941.

In the present application a plurality of elastic tubular bodies are provided which are expanded by mechanical force applied internally in 'such a manner that a uniform expansion occurs in substantially all portions of the length of each tubular body used, thereby producing a superior water-tight seal between the exterior of each body and the internal surface of the pipe within which it is temporarily installed.

In addition to the foregoing object, another objectof the invention is to provide for the manipulation of one cf the pipe obstructing units in such a manner as to allow the body of liquid used thereabove to test the plumbing system, to ow therepast more quickly into the sewer, both through and around the tubular, expansible part of such unit.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved means for bringing about the cooperative action of two expansible bodies for closing up different parts of a sewer pipe structure, whereby each of said bodies may be sufficiently expanded to form a fluid tight plug in the pipe, Without the expanding operation of one body in any manner interfering with that of the other.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide for utilizing a universal joint structure in a combined means for connecting together two stopper forming expansible bodies in a spaced apart relation to each other in a section of sewer pipe, and to form an operating means to expand and contract, as well as to properly position, the more remote of the two bodies when they are disposed in an angular relation to each other, and also forming a part of the means whereby the more remote body may be withdrawn from its operative position around a bend or turn in the conduitl in which it is temporarily installed for making the leak-proof test required. A

Other objects, advantages, and features of invention will hereinafter appear.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, which illustrate what is at present deemed to be a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a view mainly in longitudinal mid-section showing the device installed in its operative position within a branched section of soil pipe,

one of the expansible bodies being positioned within the branch thereof.

Fig. 2 is a detail, partly in elevation and partly sectioned on line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Referring in detail to the accompanying drawing, which illustrates what is at present deemed to be a preferred embodiment of the invention, the main parts of the lower unit of the device, as shown in its installedposition in Fig. 1, are the body Ii! of a generally cylindrical shape composed of a rubber-like expansible material having its interior wall conically tapered in a stepped manner toward its left end throughout its length, and a truste-conical follower II, the taper of which is stepped to correspond with the taper of said wall, said follower being furnished at its smaller end with an axially projecting screw threaded stem I2. An abutment plate I3 is shown mounted upon the left end of the body Ill, that is to say, the end of said body having the smaller internal diameter. Said body is provided with a plurality of recesses I4 and said plate I3 is furnished with a like number of correspondingly arranged lugs or projections I5 which enter said recesses and thus anchor the plate to the elastic body.

Means are provided to apply a tractive force to the follower II to cause it to expand the body I El, said means including a cup-shaped member I1 having a thickened bottom portion I8 which is in a screw-threaded relation to the stem I2. The thickened part I 8 of said cup bottom may consist of a hexagonal nut fitted within the end of said sleeve and secured thereto by means of welds I9. The outer end of the stem I2 is shown provided with a head 2|. By preference and as shown, said head consists of a nut, it being necessary to apply the head to the stem after the latter has been projected through the bottom portion of the cup. After said nut has been applied to the stem the threads at the outer end of the stem may be battered as indicated at 22 in order to prevent v said nut from becoming detached, thereby safeguarding against the follower becoming detached from the lower unit and'being carried down into the sewer.

The means for applying traction tothe stem I2 of the follower includes a shaft structure 25 furnished at its inner end with a universal joint structure 26, said joint structure including at its extreme lower end of a spherical member 21. 'I'he adjacent end portion of the sleeve part I 'I of the cup-shaped member is furnished with diametrically opposite ears 28 between which said spherical part 21 is positioned, and a substantial pivot pin 29 carried' by and bridging the space between said ears passes diametrically through said spherical part 21. 'I'he universal joint connection between the cup member I1 and the shaft 25 makes it possible to position said shaft at an angle to the axis of said cup-shaped member. When the elastic body I9 is located within the body portion 3I `of the sewer pipe which has the angularly extending branch 32, the shaft 25 extends axially through said branch.

In order to plug up the branch 32 of the sewer pipe at the same time the body portion thereof is closed by the elastic body Ill..whichhas.been-15:

described, the main parts of the plugstructureshown in the right hand portion of Fig. 1 are reproduced in the upper part of the. sewer pipe branch 32, hence will not be again describediri.A detail but will be readily understood by reason of Y being lettered inthe same'manner except for the addition of the letter avtoeachreferencenumber.

The follower I Ia, shown in the upperfportionfof Figsl, differs `from the follower II in that itis provided with a tubular stem 35. Said stemis externally. screw threadedand tractionA is applied thereto., by..V4 rotating. :the Anut 36v by meansffof a suitabletool.` Onto-the-.tubular stem 351s screwed a,.'l"fltting `31 which isfurnished with a water intake branch 438- controlledgbyY a shut-oivalve 39... l 'This -T fitting is f, furnished with; a stufling box structure .4 Ir through which .theI outer endportion of thegshaft projects ;-ina rotational, slidablefluid,tight manner.v The outer-endof saidw shaft, is -shown furnished with 5a detachable handleonsisting of7 a ,cross bar 42 so thatit mayf convenientlybe manually rotated. g

Describingmore -in detail the structuref` of the cylindrical-.1elasticbodies -I 0 andlua together with-thefo11owers I I` and llawhereby-said bodies are ...expandede r each of l,these bodies is lshown furnished. at fabout .its. Vmid-length with an in,- ternal-l shoulder .A 45. .located `atthe `point y whereits.. two tapered internal--- surfacesf meet. Each follower;:is --likewise :furnished fwith -an annular shoulderg46, the vshoulder of-,each follower being so related to the shoulderiof;theftubular-body Withwhichwit cooperates thatf-,Ythe-shoulder of the. follower will abutA against 1-the ,-shoulder.v of thewrubberbody-.before '.the small endof-fthe follower-comesin contactwith the fadjacent face offthe abutment '.-plate I3 (or. I3a)f. When the annularfshoulderfof `the followers (II and- I la) abut against .the .annular lshoulders (45 and 45mof the expansible memberswhich sur-round.I them,- saidgmembers are.additionallyexpanded. By this structurereach; of the vtubular` expansible mem'- bersmlisprovided -with linter-nal expansionl mean-s; whereby-it,.is expanded in a virtuallyl uniform; G0 manner throughoutall portions ofV itshlengtlfi.V This is deemed-to be aan limportant feature of,l the invention as Y-it y-prpvidesv a more extendedand. Lefficient Vwaterftight V.seating surface between; each .expansible member -andfthe sectionfof pipe with which it Y cooperates to .,forma ffliquid-tight seal.'

The abutment plate I3 is shown providedyvith a pluralityof liquid admission-passagesel which 1ead.thr.ough Ithlefplati-z,outsideoffthe space vin- 70 eluded.v I within Vthe @bottom portion ofthe'` cupslfiapedgmemb erV I 1, -but said passages are ylocated suicientlynears-tothe axis of. this-part ofl the structure: to conduct water pressure `i nto -the ad: J'acentpend. :pgrtou of zthefrubberfbody.. I 0. The 75 water pressure thus admitted presses against the small end of the follower II and thus aids the operator in shifting the follower II rightward from the position shown in Fig. 1. To do this he will rotate the shaft 25 in the proper direction to cause the nut I8 to advance the follower in the direction stated. The water will then ow back into the sewer both through the holes I5x and around the contracted tubular body I0.

The. plugstructure shown/in the'.A upper left hand portionl of Fig. v1Y isnOtprOVide'd-.with any fluid admission passages through its abutment plate I3a, but an annular clearance 34 is provided between the shaft 25 and the interior wall ofthefsteml 35,#and the plumber may supply a stream of..water, controlled by the Valve 39, through said annular clearance to the interior ofgthe. sewer lpine to test for leaks the plumbingrofv which said sewer pipe forms a part.

The universal joint connection provided betweenv the shaft v25anc1theyftractionffmember I 1 of; thea plug structure;:shown;in the lowerileft hand portion of Fig. 1,a enab1es;said plugzstruce4 ture, whenfits; elasticv portionfis;contracted to be withdrawn Ybodily; from,v the l pipe tportion; 3| through the branch 32, it being understoodthat the nut 36'of the .upper:pluggstructurefwill' have been. previously loosened sufliciently to;a1lcw the latter plugstructure also t0 `contract.preparatory to beingl withdrawn from the; pipe; in `4advance of the yplug structure located vin they fbody" pontion of. they-sewer pipe.y It is `necessary to4 con-L tract the lower plug first in.` order; to permitzthe waterto flow to the sewer-ingadvanceof; coneV tracting the upper plugand theny withdrawingthe devicegasa whole-fromthe piping fsy.'stem.

The shaft 25 fand uniYersal join-t structure Tas-.-r sociated therewith `possesses sufficient rigldityrgtov enable theoper-ator -to adj ust the lower .unit rlon; gitudinally Yof the horizontal ,pipe as.desired':

It jshould be :understood:that` Athe'apresent disey closure' is for'lthe purpose; off;illustrationfigonl-y and that this invention includes allmodifica-z tions and.v equivalents which"` fall withimthezscope of :the subject matterclaimed.

What is; claimed is:

1.In -a plumbers pipe testinggdevice'.-l a rbody` of v`a -generallycylindrical shape-scomposed offia rubber-like expansible material;having;,itsxintee rior wall ,eonically tapered infa stepped .manner toward `one end; throughout its lengthzyarnabute ment. plate anchored to the last recited endiof' said body, a frustoconicalafollower, the taper of which -is steppedto correspond-with.thegtaperv ofl said wall, said bodyi being;:furnished-l,with` anv internal annular shoulclerwhereyitsv two ain--V ternal ysurfaces meetand-said;v follower being likewise furnished with 'an-annular shoulder, .the shoulder of, said gfollower bei-ngzso'related-i4 to the:A shoulder` f of ,Y said body)`r with 4whichl :it 'cooperate's that the shoulder of the,followerewillzabutagainst; the shoulder off-the bodybefoie the'small end; of the follower fcomes .in contact n:vviththef4 adjae,

cent face of said-abutment:plate:A zsa-id efollower beingrfurnished at; its smaller endiwith an axially"- projecting stem, extending throughzarn zaperlture. insaid abutment plate-,ffthe-smallerfend ofvsa-id follower being slightlyzfgreater..in;'diameter;than; the internal. diameter vof the-'smaller=cndf1portion of said ,tubular bodyyand^-meansrfforx applying` traction to said 3 stemyin; relatiorr:..to.i.. said bodyv while :at leaslLa portion; offfsaid follower isA contained therein. to, 'causefzsaidg follower; to; expande` the rubber-like portionmi ;t1ieg.'si-,ructi1re.w

2..v Inra Aplurnbens .pipe testing :device,=' a ',.loo'dyfy of a generally cylindrical shape composed of a rubber-like expansible material having its interior wall conically tapered in a stepped manner toward one end throughout its length, a frusto-conical follower, the taper of which is stepped to correspond with the taper of said wall, said follower being furnished at its smaller end with an axially projecting screw-threaded stem, the smaller end of said follower being slightly greater in diameter than the internal diameter of the smaller end portion of said tubular body, at least a portion of said follower being contained within said body while a part of said stem projects axially from the end of said body having the smaller diameter, an abutment plate anchored to the last recited end of said body, said plate having through it a central aperture through which said stern loosely projects, a cup-shaped member surrounding the projecting portion of said stem and having its bottom portion in a screwthreaded relation to the threads of said stem and in an abutting relation to said abutment plate, and means to rotate said cup-shaped member to apply traction to said stem.

3. The subject matter of claim 2 and, said abutment plate having through it apertures located radially outward from said cup-shaped member and positioned to admit liquid under pressure to the smaller end of said follower around the stem thereof.

4. In a plumbers pipe testing device, a body of a generally cylindrical shape composed of a rubber-like expansible material having in relation to itsl length two internal conically tapered portions which meet each other along an internal annular shoulder, the taper being in the same direction throughout both of said portions, a follower having frusto-conical portions likewise dimensioned and shaped to exert an internal wedging action upon said cylindrically shaped body, said follower also having an annular shoulder between two frusto-conical surface portions, and means for applying traction to said follower in relation to said body to expand the latter into a uid tight relation to the interior surface of a conduit, the shoulder of said follower being so related to the shoulder of said body with which it cooperates that the shoulder of the follower will abut against the shoulder of the body before the small end of the follower comes into registry with the open end of said body which it approaches.

5. In a plumbers pipe testing device, two units each having a body of a generally cylindrical shape composed of a rubber-like material having their interior walls conically tapered in a stepped manner toward one end throughout their length to form a temporary closure in a sewer pipe, each of said bodies being provided with an internal follower, there being for the purpose of expansion, stepped, cooperating beveled surfaces between each follower and the peripheral portion of the body with which it cooperates, the follower of one of said bodies being furnished at its smaller end with an axially projecting screwthreaded stem, the smaller end of said follower being slightly greater in diameter than the internal diameter of the smaller end portion of its said cylindrical body, at least a portion of the latter follower being contained within its associated body while a part of said stem projects axially from the end thereof having the smaller diameter, an abutment plate anchored to the last recited end of the follower last mentioned, said plate having through it a central aperture through which said stem loosely projects, a cupshaped member surrounding the projecting portion of said stem and having its bottom portion in a. screwthreaded relation to the threads of said stem and in an abutting relation to said abutment plate, a shaft extending in a fluid tight manner` through the follower of the other body and being manually rotatable and slidable in relation thereto, and means to operatively connect said shaft and said cup-shaped member to apply traction to said stem to advance and retract its follower.

6. The subject matter of claim 5 and, the body through which said shaft extends having its aforesaid follower furnished with a tubular operating stem which surrounds a portion of said shaft in a concentric, outwardly spaced relation thereto thus providing a water inlet passage leading through that body, and means connected to the latter stem to conduct water to said passage, said water conducting means including a stuffing-box structure through which said shaft projects.

'7.,In a plumbers pipe testing device, a body of a generally cylindrical shape composed of a rubber-like expansible material having its interior wall conically tapered in a stepped manner toward one end, a frusto-conical follower, the taper of which is stepped to correspond with the taper of said wall, said follower being furnished at its smaller end with an axially projecting screw-threaded stem, at least a portion of said follower being contained within said body while a part of said stem projects axially from the end of said body having the smaller diameter, an abutment plate anchored to the last recited end of said body, said plate having through it a central aperture through which said stem projects, a traction member embracing the projecting portion of said stem in an abutting relation to said abutment plate and having a screwthreaded portion in an operative relation to the threads of said stem, and means for rotating said member to apply traction to said stem.

8. In a plumbers pipe testing device, a body of a generally cylindrical shape composed of a rubber-like expansible material having its interior wall conically tapered toward one end, a frusto-conical follower, the taper of which corresponds with the taper of said wall, said follower being furnished at its smaller end with an axially projecting screw-threaded stem, at least a portion of said follower being contained within said body while a part of said stem projects axially from the end of said body having the smaller diameter, an abutment plate anchored to the last recited end of said body, said plate having through it a central aperture through which said stem projects, a member embracing the projecting portion of said stem and having its bottom portion in a screw-threaded relation to the threads of said stem and in an abutting relation to said abutment plate, and means to rotate said member to apply traction to said stem.

9. The subject matter of claim 8 and, said abutment plate having through it an aperture located outwardly from said member and positioned to admit liquid under pressure to the smaller end of said follower around the stem thereof.

BENNETT SVIRSKY. 

